IPL 2022: Aakash Chopra predicts six big names who could be roped in by new IPL franchises before mega auction

All the eight existing franchises of the IPL have already announced the list of their retained players. However now, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has named the six released players that he feels will not make it to the mega auction.

IPL is all set to welcome two new teams Lucknow and Ahmedabad in its upcoming season. The new entrants will be able to draft three players each ahead of the mega auction. Chopra picked four Indians and two overseas cricketers who he thinks will be drafted by the new franchises.

The former cricketer named KL Rahul as his first pick as he predicted that the batter might make it to the Lucknow team. Afghanistan’s ace spinner Rashid Khan was his second pick followed by Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, and keeper batter Ishan Kishan.

“My first pick is KL Rahul. I feel he will not be able to reach the auction. Punjab Kings wanted to retain him but he didn’t want to. I think he is going to Lucknow and will become the captain of the new team. Rashid Khan is second in the pecking order. I don’t think his name will reach the auction table. He did not want to stay at SunRisers Hyderabad as he has been already approached by a new franchise with a better salary.

My third pick is Shreyas Iyer. He is likely to become captain of the Ahmedabad franchise. He is an important player and will be drafted to a new team. I won’t be surprised to see him lead Ahmedabad as he has already captained Delhi Capitals. Yuzvendra Chahal is another player who might go to Ahmedabad. Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya might not be a part of the auction, but Ishan Kishan’s stocks are a bit high at the moment,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

David Warner will not make it to the auction either: Aakash Chopra

David Warner had a dismaying outing in IPL 2021. He was also replaced by Williamson for SRH’s captaincy. Chopra named the Australian batter as his other pick as he is a proven match-winner and has consistently performed in the tournament.

“David Warner will not make it to the auction either. He is a proven match-winner. He has a lot of experience, has won a lot of games, and has scored 600 odds runs in so many seasons. You won’t find a more consistent player than him,” Chopra added.